You’d be forgiven for thinking mashed potatoes were one of those simple dishes that tastes like more than the sum of its parts. All you need are boiled potatoes and maybe a little milk and butter to transform them into a pot of starchy, creamy goodness.
But as with many things culinary, TikTok users have managed to find a hack for making even easier mashed potatoes—and it all starts with a bag of chips! Why not? The popular platform already taught us how to make three-ingredient ice cream, ethereal cloud bread and the now famous whipped coffee.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes with Potato Chips
The recipe starts with a big bag of classic Lay’s potato chips (though any brand will do) and a pot of boiling water. After the water starts boiling, you pour in the chips and cook them until they become soft—just a couple of minutes—and then drain the water off in a colander and pour the mushy chips back into the pot.
The basic concept is the same on many video tutorials, but @matthewinthekitchen has one of the most comprehensive:
@matthewinthekitchenPOTATO CHIP MASHED POTATOES?? Lays?? This was…weird to cook. ib @starley.reed #cooking #potato #mashedpotatoes #lays #chips
Mash the soft chips until they’re creamy. Then, add in the flavorful fats like butter, milk or heavy cream (some recipes use sour cream) that you would use to make traditional mashed potatoes. Salt and pepper to taste, and that’s it. Talk about instant mashed potatoes!
How Do They Taste?
Admittedly, the texture isn’t an exact mashed potato replica, but TikTok creators and commenters are in consensus that the potato chip version tastes very much like the original. You might not want to plan a dinner party using this hack as a centerpiece, but in a pinch, a bag of chips can work wonders. And just think of the variations using sour cream and onion or barbecue flavors!
Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac
I've been working to perfect a creamy, spicy mac and cheese for years. After adding smoky bacon, chicken, jalapenos and spicy cheese, this is the ultimate! I use rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon when I'm pressed for time. —Sarah Gilbert, Aloha, OregonRanch Chicken Sliders
When my grandson was younger, we always joked that nothing could make ranch chicken taste better. Then one day Avery’s eyes lit up and he suggested we fry it! Our fried chicken burger was born. You won’t believe how good these little sliders are. —Tamara Hire, Decatur, IllinoisPotato Chip Bites
A friend at church gave me the recipe for these buttery, light and crisp cookies. It's never failed to bring me compliments.—Brenda Stone, Sterrett, AlabamaChicken Fries
Kid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, ColoradoBlue Cheese Potato Chips
Game day calls for something bold. I top potato chips with tomatoes, bacon and tangy blue cheese. I make two big pans, and they always disappear. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, WisconsinPotato Chip Clusters
Just three offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super-easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, OklahomaChicken and Rice Casserole
Everyone loves this dish—I consider it the best chicken and rice casserole recipe because it's a tasty combination of hearty and crunchy ingredients mixed in a creamy sauce. It's a time-tested classic. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, GeorgiaTouchdown Brat Sliders
It's game time when these mini sausage sliders make an appearance. Two things my husband loves—beer and brats—get stepped up a notch with crunchy flavored chips. —Kirsten Shabaz, Lakeville, MinnesotaPotato Chip Banana Bread Cookies
My 5-year-old wanted to bake a cake with potato chips and bananas. I couldn't quite manage that, but I did combine two cookie recipes to create these. They are stunningly delicious, and everyone tells me they are addictive! —Rebecca Emmons, Tulsa, OklahomaPotato Chip Chicken Strips
This novel recipe is a fast and tasty change from fried chicken.—Sister Judith LaBrozzi, Canton, OhioMini Shepherd's Pies
These savory little pies may be made with simple convenience items, but I'm just as confident serving them to drop-in company as I am to my husband and three boys. —Ellen Osborne, Clarksville, TennesseeBarbecue Chicken Bits
Folks who enjoy the taste of barbecue will gobble up these tender chunks of chicken coated in crushed barbecue potato chips. They're a hit at home and at parties. —Celena Cantrell-Richardson, Eau Claire, MichiganSlow-Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole
We tweaked this family-friendly classic to work for the slow cooker. It's easy, wholesome and totally homemade!—Taste of Home Test KitchenPotato Chip Crunchies
When my family comes home, I like having treats ready for them. No matter what's on the cookie tray, these are always the first to vanish. —Dorothy Buiter, Worth, IllinoisPepper Jack Hash Brown Casserole
I found myself in need of an impromptu potato dish, but I had no potatoes. Frozen hash browns and the plethora of cheeses I had in the freezer offered me the solution to my side-dish dilemma. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, FloridaTurtle Chips
Salty-sweet, crunchy-chewy—so many sensations in one delectable bite. This is the absolute easiest recipe to make! Both kids and adults will be reaching for this goodie. —Leigh Ann Stewart, Hopkinsville, KentuckyBacon Horseradish Spread
This spread is a great choice for any occasion because it's loaded with flavor and comes together in a snap. Start with one or two teaspoons of horseradish and add more to suit your taste. —Terri Peterson, Spring Valley, IllinoisCheeseburger Bowl
This recipe is a unique and lighter way to enjoy an American summer staple. You can also make the dressing with ranch dressing, 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. —Laurie Rogerson, Ellington, ConnecticutSweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New YorkThe post This Viral Video Shows You How to Make Mashed Potatoes with Potato Chips appeared first on Taste of Home.
Krista Garcia